Oh Holy Night

The Church of Nativity, Bethlehem

We started studying the New Testament with a visit to Bethlehem. While in Bethlehem we were able to visit Bethlehem University and talk to some of the students. It was very interesting listening to their stories and talking to them about growing up and living on the other side of the Separation wall. After our visit with the students we toured the Church of Nativity which is built over the cave which tradition suggests Christ was born in. After our tour we ran through the streets of Bethlehem looking for Bethlehem blankets, we were unsuccessful, but it was fun to see the city. We ended the day in Shepherds Field talking about the birth of Christ.

Passover!

My Jewish civ professor helped us put together a whole passover meal! It was so fun! We ate all of the traditional foods, some were a little strange, but for the most part very good. We sang and read from the Torah! Some of the boys even did a rap! It was a really fun night and a great experience.

Sunset at the Center

This picture does not do justice to how beautiful the sunset was over West Jerusalem, but I thought I would share it anyway. This was taken from my Balcony.

The Dome of the Rock and the Temple Mount

Before class one morning we decided to make a quick run to the Temple Mount to visit the Dome of the Rock. This building is so beautiful! The Mosaics on the outside are amazing! Unfortunately we were not allowed inside, but we enjoyed the outside and the grounds.


The Dome of the Rock!

The Mosaics on the outside

The door to the Dome of the Rock, if only I could have opened it.

A few Palestinian girls on their way to school, taking the shortcut through the Temple Mount!


More Mosaics

This is the view from the East side of the Temple Mount. The gold onion things are the part of the Russian Church of Mary Magdalene. Just below the church is the Garden of Gethsemane

Another view to the East

The mosaics were beautiful


A gazebo next to the Dome of the Rock

The Dome of the Rock!

The adutorium and Talent show

This is the auditorium and chapel in the Jerusalem Center. The auditorium has the most amazing view, it is most definitely the best view I have ever seen from a chapel. This room looks over the Old City and has a perfect shot at the Temple Mount.
Anyway here is a small sample of the amazing talent show we had at the center.

Gage, Jane and Maria


City time!

A day with the Squires

The Squires were our amazing chorister and accompanist. Sister Squires directed the branch choir and Brother Squires played the organ and the piano. Every Sunday Brother Squires would go to the YMCA tower in West Jerusalem and play the carillon bells and then ring the bells to signal 12 o'clock. This day they invited a bunch of us to join them. It was pretty fun playing the bells!

In front of the YMCA tower

This is how we played the bells

playing the bells


The carillon bells


There were only suppose to be 4 people in the elevator, we fit 7!


After the bells the Squires took us to the Jewish Open air market (Machane Yehuda)!
It was a lot like Pike Place without the Puget Sound and with a lot more Jewish people.



Just some soldiers and their huge guns walking through the market



Getting lunch at the market! It was really good!

After the market we went to the Pita Factory. Only 5 shekels for 12 hot fresh pitas




All the girls!

The City of David and Hezekiah's Tunnel

Back in October we went on a field trip to the City of David which is located just below the south side of the temple mount. We saw some of the ruins of the city and learned a little about the ancient city's water system. These are some pictures inside Hezekiah's tunnel. The tunnel was created by King Hezekiah and was used to protect the city's water supply from poisoning. When we walked through the tunnel there was about of foot of water in it.




Me and Adam


Ali and Seth




Wet feet




We stood on the tallest roof top in the city of David and were able to look down onto the roof tops of neighboring Palestinian homes. The Palestinians use the roofs of their houses like another room in their house. It wasn't uncommon to see women up on their roofs with their children doing laundry or little children riding their bikes and playing on top of the roof. Learning about the culture of Jerusalem has really helped me understand the Bible better. I loved learning about the people and their culture and then relating my new knowledge back to the scriptures. I always thought it was strange that Bathsheba bathed on top of her roof and that King David was sitting on top of his roof. After being in Jerusalem I now understand why Bathsheba and King David would have spent time on top of their roofs.





A cute little Jewish family



The pool of Siloam.

just outside of Hezekiah's tunnel is the pool of Siloam. This picture isn't the real pool the real pool hasn't been excavated completely, but this pool is just across from the real thing. I loved being able to read New and Old Testament stories at the site where they happened.




Dormition Abbey



The ceiling of Dormition Abbey






King David's Tomb and Synagogue